70oF, Fair
Public higher education stands as one of the true success stories in our nation's history. The public universities stand as a quintessential symbol of who we are and what we stand for as a nation—opportunity, industry, and community.
In 1968, a handful of students took a chance on a new, untested university. A small school at the end of a dirt road. They were looking for opportunity. Today, the University of Central Florida has changed quite a bit. Our campus is now dynamic, our faculty is distinguished, and yes, our roads are paved. Our staff, students and partners are energizing the economy and changing the world—that's what happens when a university and community share the same goals. In just 40 years, UCF has become the fifth-largest university in the nation in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. We've surpassed the $100 million mark in annual research funding. We've graduated students who have received Rhodes, Mellon and Goldwater Scholarships. And, just like in 1968, people still come here looking for opportunity.
Campus in 1968.
1963—Bill 125 passes to create university
1965—Charles Norman Millican is chosen as founding president
1966—University named Florida Technological University (FTU)
1967—Groundbreaking ceremony on March 19
1968—Classes begin at Orlando campus and Brevard and Daytona Beach centers
1969—First basketball, baseball, wrestling and tennis teams are created
1970—Knights of Pegasus is chosen as mascot
1978—Trevor Colbourn becomes second president and FTU becomes UCF
1979—President Colbourn creates UCF football team
1982—Central Florida Research Park opens
1986—Center for Research in Electro-Optics and Lasers (CREOL) program starts
1989—Steven Altman becomes third president
1990—UCF football moves to NCAA Division I-AA
1992—John C. Hitt becomes fourth president
1994—Knightro makes first official appearance
1996—Florida High Tech Corridor Council established by Legislature
2001—Commercial sales of UCF’s most productive patent, Florida Solar Energy Center’s (FSEC) Gossamer Wind® energy efficient ceiling fan, begin
2004—UCF Technology Incubator receives top designation from the National Business Incubation Association
2005—UCF surpasses the $100 million mark for research funds. Orlando Sentinel names President Hitt "Central Floridian of the Year"
2006—Florida Board of Governors approves College of Medicine
2007—Bright House Networks Stadium and the new UCF Arena open
2008—Medical school reaches historic goal to fund charter class
In 1968:
• Approximately 120 faculty members
• 2 buildings on opening day
• 3 buildings were built that school year
• Less than 30 degree programs
• 1,500 students expected to show opening day
• A total of 1,948 students enrolled
As of 2008:
• 1,258 full-time faculty as of Spring 2008
• 163 buildings (and counting)
• More than 220 degree programs
• 11 regional campuses
• 50,000 students
• More than 180,000 degrees awarded
• First employee was President Charles Millican
• First student request for information was by postcard
• First research grant was given by NASA and was for $12,500
• First building on campus was the library
• First class of undergraduate students was freshmen and juniors only
• First colleges were Business Administration, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences
• First commencement speaker was Astronaut John Young
• First football victory was in 1979 at St. Leo College, 21-0
• First Spirit Splash occurred in 1995 when a student was thrown into the Reflecting Pond and others follow
• First ucf.edu Web site launched in 1996
The work of young writers from the University of Central Florida will be celebrated at the Knights Write Showcase, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. Hosted by the Department of Writing and Rhetoric, the showcase is an opportunity for the [...]
Financial aid experts from the University of Central Florida will help families navigate the process of obtaining federal assistance for college during this weekendâs College Goal Sunday. The event is part of a national effort to help families with the financial aid process and provide access to higher education. UCF will host College Goal Sunday [...]
José Fernández, dean of UCFâs College of Arts & Humanities, was named one of Central Floridaâs 25 most influential Hispanics in the current issue of Vision Magazine. More than 100 elected officials, business executives, journalists and other notables were nominated for consideration because of their demonstrated leadership and contributions to the enrichment and overall growth [...]
Associate Professor
Dr. Kimberly Renk has studied parenting styles and can speak about how children — from toddlers to college students — benefit the most from parents who combine warm and authoritative styles. She also can discuss the importance of parents clearly defining realistic expectations for children of all ages. The Understanding Children and Families Lab seeks to better the lives of children and their families through its applied research activities, clinical work, and community service. The lab includes the Young Child and Family Research Clinic, which is dedicated to understanding the relationships among the behaviors of young children, parent-child interactions and the development of emotional and behavioral problems in young children. The clinic also focuses on the assessment and treatment of such problems.
At Pegasus Health, doctors are creating a medical facility to offer a new standard of excellence in health care. Here, physicians, other health care providers and patients are a team. We take the time to get to know you, the patient, and not just the disease. We work with you to render the right care [...]
The Executive Development Center (EDC), located in downtown Orlando, showed off their recent renovations and thanked both their internal and external constituents during a two-day Partner’s Celebration. Renovations were needed to accommodate growth and include: Additional classroom space for Executive and Professional MBA classes, as well as Executive Education seminars New tiered executive classroom with [...]
Over the past few years, the Scholarship Committee at UCFâs Rosen College of Hospitality Management has seen a decrease in endowed scholarship funds due to the economic downturn. But recently, thanks to the generosity of its donors, Rosen College was able to award scholarships to nearly twice as many students as it was averaging in [...]
Senior sprinter Jackie Coward (Knoxville, Tenn.) was named the Conference USA Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. Coward’s first honor of the season marks UCF’s third recognition in four weeks. Coward took first place in the 60 hurdles in the consolation championship finals at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational [...]
The University of Central Florida has earned its second recognition this year as one of the nationâs âbest valueâ colleges and universities. The Princeton Review, one of Americaâs best-known education services and test-preparation companies, has joined Kiplinger magazine in selecting a UCF education as one of the best academic buys in the country. âThe Princeton [...]
Spirit Splash 2011:Â An energetic and entertaining 65-second recap of UCF’s most popular annual Homecoming event.
